augustus gross



(N0 Model.)

A. GROSS.

' v BOOT ORSHOB. No. 592,140. Patented Oct. 19,1897.

WITNESSES: INVENTOH a. Qfwt I A TTOHNE Y8 m: mums rcrsns co, PHOTO-LITHO wAsnmnrON n c UNITED STATES PATENT 01mins.

. AneUs TUs enoss, OF-SYDNEY, NEW scorn WALES.

BO OT oR SHOE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 592,140, dated October 19,

, Application filerl October 10, 1 896.

To all whom it may concern: 4.

Be it known that L'Au'eusrus GRoss, engineer, a subject of the Queen'of Great Britaim, and a resident of Sydney,1in the Colony also to lock or secure the lace after being tied and prevent it becomingloosened or undone except when desired by theiwearer,

Hitherto great annoyance and inconvenience have been experiencedbypersons 'who' wear laced boots or shoes by the laces frequently becoming loosened'or undone, caused Very often by the constant friction of the wearers garments and the laces, or by the action of the feet while walking or running. The tongue of the boot or shoe instead of remaining in its proper position in the center of the bootor shoe almost invariably, when in use, slips down between the foot and the side of the boot or shoe.

Now'this invention has been especially designed to overcome these deficiencies in the construction of boots or shoes, and is by its simple construction inexpensive and capable at any moment of locking the tongue of the boot or shoe in its proper position; also of clasping the lace after being tied ina bow" and preventing it becoming untied orloosened except at the will of the wearer.

In order that this invention may be more fully understood, reference will now be made to .the drawings which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a view of a shoe with this invention. Fig. 2 is a front view of the tongue and lace-lock. Fig. 3 is a view of the under part of the look before being pressed into shape to receive the top. Fig. 4 shows the spring. Fig. 5 is a side View of the lace and tongue-lock open. 7 r

In all figures similar letters are used to denote similar parts.

A is a piece of suitable metal stamped or shaped as shown in Fig. 3. The toothed sides Serial No. 608,459. (No model.)

A B are bent up at about right angles to the center part of the metal. The tapered ends 0 are bent in the opposite direction to B.

D is a piece of curved spring-steel of the required length, with the dovetailed end E. This spring'is laid on A in the space between the upward-turned sides B. The lugs F are then bent, right over, so as to secure the spring in position. The dovetailed end of the spring allows the lugs to vso press against it as to keep it secure. The clamp or look G is placed over the spring D, and'a pin passes through G at G and through the holes II in A, securing the clamp or look to the lower portion of the device. The wings I of the clamp or look G are shaped so as to follow the curve of the foot and are provided'on the inside with short teeth along the outer edges J. These teeth, when the clamp or look is closed, grasp and hold the lace K and prevent it becoming untied. The toothed edgesofB also assist in holding the lace secure.

When the clamp or look G is opened, as shown in Fig. 5, there is no pressure on the spring D, but asthe clamp or look is closed the fulcrum L compresses the spring D. When the clamp or look G has been fully closed, the fulcrum L assumes such a position that the end E of the spring D will press against the fulcrum L its full force and thus keep the clamp or look closed, thereby causing it to firmly grip the lace K and securing the tongue of the boot or shoe in its correct place.

In Fig. 1 the clamp or look is shown closed,

keeping the tongue'of the shoe in the correct position and securing the lace.

I do not claim any particular design for the clamp or look, as it will be obvious that many modifications may be made, but in all the small inward teeth on the outward edges will be provided. The construction of the clamp or look may be of any suitable metal, may be made ornamental by the insertion of precious stones, or in any other way. 1

I am aware that other devices have been on the market for the prevention of laces becoming untied, but these have been of a very weak construction and were not intended to secure the tongue as well as the lace, and vvl lere not permanently attached to the boot or s 0e.

My invention is intended to form a part of the construction of the boot or shoe, it being secured to the tongue of the boot or shoe by passing the tapered ends C of A through the tongue and clasping them round against the inside. A piece of some soft leather or other suitable material may be sewed or secured over the ends 0, so as to prevent them pressing directly against the foot.

The device may be secured to the tongue of the boot or shoe in any other suitable manner, but in all cases it must be placed in the center of the tongue and about level with the top eyelet or lace-hole of the boot or shoe, so that the tying of the lace may be done across the device when the clamp or look is raised, as shown in Fig. 5.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination, the plate A, having rearwardly-turned projections and two upwardlyturned sides, the spring extending between the sides, the ears F for holding one end of said spring, ears at the opposite end of the plate, the toothed locking-plate pivoted between said last-named ears, and the extension on the locking-plate adapted to bear against the free end of the spring, substantially as described.

2. In combination, the plate A having downwardly-turned projections O at each end, the spring extending lengthwise of the plate and having notches at one end, the cars or projections F formed integral with said plate and engaging said notches and folded over to hold the spring in place, the upwardlyturned sides B integral with plate A and forming a guide for the spring, said sides having serrated edges and perforated ears II, and the locking-plate having a pivot extending through the perforations in the ears, said locking-plate having teeth J in line with the serrated edges of the base-plate and having laterally-extending wings I, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

AUGUSTUS GROSS.

\Vitnesses:

PERCY SYDNEY DA\VSON, OCTAVIUS PLATER CLAYTON. 

